Pat Lambie is no longer available after joining French outfit Racing 92, but the Sharks wasted no time in bulking up their flyhalf stocks when they signed the coach’s son, Robert du Preez jnr.

Robert jnr was instrumental for Western Province when they beat the Sharks in last year’s Currie Cup final at Kings Park, but the 24-year-old has now opted to join his dad and brothers Jean-Luc and Dan in Durban.

However, he is set to face stiff competition for the flyhalf jersey, with Springbok Curwin Bosch set to duel him for the role of pivot.

But the Sharks coach has welcomed his options at flyhalf.

“Rob and Curwin have really worked well together,” Du Preez snr told the Sharks’ official website.

“For the first time in my two years here, we have a squad where there won’t be any complacency because there’s so much competition in the team - which is what you want. Everyone is going to have to work hard to get into the starting line-up. But it’s a long season and we’re going to have to carefully consider how we give everyone an opportunity to play. Our success will hinge on using the squad effectively.”

The Sharks will play a pre-season game against the Bulls in Polokwane next Saturday (January 27), before travelling to Hong Kong for a match against French side Racing 92 (Saturday, February 3).

The Durbanites open their Super Rugby campaign against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 17.